The new issue of AAJ's Trial has a story (paid membership required) about the ongoing litigation against the trailer manufacturers who provided trailers for Katrina refugees:

More than 500 Louisianans who have been living in trailers provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) since their homes were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina are suing mobile-home and travel-trailer manufacturers for making products that violate state and federal law by producing formaldehyde “at a dangerously unhealthy rate.” (Culler v. Gulf Stream Coach, Inc., No. 07-4018 (E.D. La. filed Aug. 7, 2007).)

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The plaintiffs’ complaint charges that the trailers were manufactured “without the benefits of defendants’ usual quality control. [The] defendants were unable to find enough construction materials from their usual suppliers of low-formaldehyde-emitting material and instead used high-formaldehyde-emitting particle board, composite woods, adhesive, and other materials in the manufacture of the housing units.”

The story notes that plaintiffs have not sued FEMA itself, stating that they hope that the government would assist in finding out the problems with the trailer construction.